Houston Holiday Shopping Guide

It’s hard to shop for the person who has everything. Luckily, there are several unique gifts created right here in Houston that are sure to be a match for someone on your list, and many of them have a foodie focus. Welcome to your H-Town holiday shopping guide!

FOR HER

Shibori Scarf at Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is equal parts exhibition and studio space, where artisans come together to develop pieces such as jewelry, pottery, sculpture and more. Artist Rena Wood created Shibori scarves using the classic Japanese style during her studio during her residency at HCCC. They feature one-of-a-kind patterns that the artist created with a series of knots, folds, and twists in the silk. These scarves offer a unique twist on the traditional statement piece.

Scrap Clutch from Shop Even

The most elegant clutch made from our tote scraps. The subtle variation in color is a result of age-- The darker the leather the older the hide. Each scrap is sewn on individually. Snap closure. 14" width.

Trellis Spa at The Houstonian

Trellis, the 17,000-square-foot spa at The Houstonian, houses 20 treatment rooms including eleven rooms for body treatments, eight facial rooms, and one couples room, which includes a couples shower and tub. Trellis also features seven hair styling stations, seven manicure, and four pedicure stations, luxurious locker rooms (with Jacuzzi and steam room), an indoor float pool, comfortable upstairs lounge with a fireplace and a tranquil room for before and after treatments.

FOR HIM

1883 SPORT SHIRTS by Hamilton Shirts

As an American institution worn by statesmen, entertainers, and captains of industry, Hamilton Shirts isn’t just a brand—it’s a legacy. For more than a century, the Hamilton family has worked one-on-one with clients to customize shirts unique to their size, style, and sensibility. The best part? They're born and based right here in Houston.

The Premiere Oxford by Standard Handmade

Standard Handmade is a Houston, TX (USA) based company that produces handmade footwear and accessories utilizing the construction techniques of the 1930s and ‘40s. This is a classic oxford great for casual or formal wear. The Premiere Oxford is offered in light brown, dark brown, and black oil-tanned leather.

FOR ART LOVERS

Visitors to the Houston Museum District can see artist Mark Rothko's work year-round at the Rothko Chapel on the Menil campus. But a temporary exhibition at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston through January 24 chronicles the abstract expressionist's decades of work. A companion book available in the MFAH store offers critical texts from a number of fellow artists, collectors, and contemporaries of Rothko.

Art and Activism - The Menil

Art and Activism surveys John and Dominique de Menil’s projects in art, architecture, and civil and human rights, initiatives that deeply affected the city of Houston and often national and even international communities. Essays and short texts describe the de Menils’ collecting; their patronage of modern architecture; their promotion of film as an art form; their struggles with their adopted hometown’s conservative arts community; their involvement in Houston’s Civil Rights movement and human rights projects worldwide; their art commissions and the initiation of scholarly projects such as catalogues raisonnés; the establishment of the Rothko Chapel and its ecumenical mission; and the creation of the Menil Collection and the satellite buildings. Includes a detailed timeline and comprehensive exhibition history.

The Mad Potter

The Mad Potter Paint-your-own-Pottery Studio provides a fun and creative place for families, friends, and co-workers of all artistic levels to come and paint pottery. Create a personalized piece as a holiday gift, or set up a private party and create pieces together.

Round Ceramic Planter by McCheeks Mayhem

Gift a handmade, modern succulent planter made with a vintage feel and inspired by Scottish landscape colors. In addition to her online store, Carole Smith also holds classes where guests can also learn to play with clay. Class information can be found here.

FOR FOODIES

Brazos Bottom Pecan Pie from Goode Co.

Nothing says Southern flavor like the classic pecan pie and Goode Company has mastered the recipe. The restaurant's signature 9-inch pie comes packaged in a beautiful pine box and can be shipped anywhere. Pies will keep for three weeks—so there's plenty of time to enjoy every last bite.

Cacao & Cardamom

This 16 piece box is perfect to give someone as a holiday gift. Our sleek black gift box features an assortment of classic C&C favorites. The Southern Comfort flavors give southern hospitality a new meaning, while the signature flavors channel exotic tastes from around the world.

Hugo’s Holiday Gift Box at Hugo’s and Caracol

Hugo Ortega offers a holiday gift box perfect for the foodie. Each box includes a signed copy of Hugo Ortega’s Street Food of Mexico (named by Saveur magazine as one of just six essential Mexican cookbooks), a housemade chocolate tablet ideal for making Hugo’s Mexican hot chocolate, and a molinillo turned wood whisk to froth hot chocolate. The box also includes two mugs to enjoy that hot chocolate.

Hot Sauce Gift Box from Bravado Spice Co.

The guys at Bravado Spice Co. have a mission of creating hot sauces that bring both heat and unique natural flavors, from ghost pepper and habanero to green apple and blueberry. The pineapple & habanero sauce is a crowd favorite, combining the sweetness of the fruit with the kick of the pepper. That particular sauce has been lauded in Bon Appetite for its novel flavor, ideal on a pulled pork sandwich, according to one editor.

Outside The Box by Cheeky Days

Outside the Box, a local Houston company, is an alternative to the typical toy or gift or craft DIY for kids. Each month your family will receive a curated box that comes with everything you need to complete crafts and activities that inspire creativity, but don’t clutter your house, encourage quality time together, and meaningful conversations about the values parents care about. These curated boxes come with hand-select products from small businesses, makers and artisans and provide ways to inspires children to give back to their community through small acts and through the joy of play teaches kids about bullying, kindness, sharing, and why they are unique and can make a difference.

FOR H-TOWN LOVERS

Sal Miel

Sal Miel is a unisex jewelry line of mixed metals and textures utilized to create a raw and contrasting aesthetic. Each piece is meticulously handcrafted with the intent of integrating the human element back into products and embracing their imperfect qualities.

Houston pillow by Christina Kuehler

FOR THE PHILANTHROPIST

The Community Cloth

The Community Cloth is a microenterprise initiative empowering refugee women in Houston. The artisans come from different continents, tribes and cultures. Purchasing one of their handmade items assists them in transitioning to life in the U.S., and much-needed income. The Cowl Scarf pictured above was hand knitted by a refugee artisan in Houston, TX.

Houston's Children's Charity

Houston's Children's Charity is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for Greater Houston’s underprivileged, abused and disabled children who have been otherwise left behind. This holiday season, adopt a family in need and bring a little cheer to those who need it most.

Houston Food Bank

ABC-13's Share Your Holidays Food Drive benefiting the Houston Food Bank is underway for the holidays and needs community support. Donate to the Red Barrel in your local grocery store, then watch ABC-13 on Friday, December 9th for all-day coverage.